Gary Tuchman on the mood in Tallahassee
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Tuchman
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CNN National Correspondent Gary Tuchman has been covering fast-changing events at the Florida Statehouse in Tallahassee.
Q:
Are people talking about the possibility that Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature might step in and choose pro-Bush representatives to send to the Electoral College?
TUCHMAN:
The Republican-controlled Legislature could conceivably do that, and Republicans have said they would like to be in a position to do that.
As of now, though, there's been no call for a special session of the Legislature because, for the time being, the Florida Republicans will be represented in Friday's U.S. Supreme Court hearing.
However, Republicans say if they feel Florida's votes will not be made official by the December 12 deadline, they might call for a special legislative session to declare their own electors.
Q:
Have Tallahassee's residents given you an indication about their feelings about the international attention focused on their city, and state, as a result of the November 7 presidential election?
TUCHMAN:
The people of Tallahassee are used to an onslaught of legislators, college students at Florida State University and college football fans at this time of year.
But the national and international attention of this election is unprecedented, even for a busy state capital like Tallahassee.
Many residents are amazed, others annoyed, but business people seem very happy about the extra business being brought in.
Q:
Has there been a large protester turnout today?
TUCHMAN:
As we speak, I am looking at hundreds of people who have gathered next to the state Capitol to make their feelings known about their candidates. There are more George W. Bush supporters here, but both sides are represented.
To be frank, much of their loud chanting only occurs when a television camera is on them. But that is something we commonly see at protests and rallies. The people who are here are not just from Florida, but from other states as well.
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